Downsides of a foreign teachers union in Thailand

Postbox letter from Winston

A union could create rifts between foreign teachers and locals or school administrators. Nobody wants to see a friendly game of tug-of-war turn into an all-out war.

Know your entitlements

Postbox letter from Petch

I find it strange that some things aren't stated about working as a teacher in Thailand.

The dreaded demo lesson

How to make sure your demo lesson goes as smoothly as possible

Now that the busy hiring season is almost upon us, many schools will be asking potential teachers for a demo lesson. Don't panic. Let them know who the professional is.

The labor law in Thailand is NOT gray

Postbox letter from Jonathan

There is no gray area here. Always go with a Thai. Always speak to a supervisor if anyone tries to fob you off with the 'this doesn't apply to you' crap. Nearly all schools will settle at the initial arbitration meeting.

Teacher compensation

Second article on Thai labor law and how it applies to teachers

This article is about how the Thai labor court system works in terms of mediation, arbitration, etc, how much money you can expect to be awarded in compensation - and most importantly, how much it will cost you.

Your info is plain wrong

Postbox letter from Anonymous

As a foreign teacher you are covered by the same laws that any Thai national works under.

What labor laws?

Postbox letter from Russell

Well, we find ourselves again at the end of the school year and for many the end of our contract. If like I and my three colleagues, you're wondering if your school will reward you financially for your services for the past year, think again.

The Thai labour law

And more importantly how it applies to teachers here

This is the first of a series of articles about the Thai labour law and the labour courts and how foreigners, especially teachers in Thailand, are affected by them. As a teacher, I have been to the Thai labour court twice and in both cases had a settlement awarded to me. I have also been to the labour court in South Africa as an employer several times. I have never lost a court case.

When your face just doesn't fit

When a school wants to fire you, what can you do?

I had been working as a Maths teacher for just under four months at a Catholic school in Bangkok when the head teacher, who is always happy to deliver bad news in a very dramatic way, informed me that parents had complained about the homework books not being marked. This was just the beginning.